Jayne Kihara admits Kenya Kwanza misled voters in 2022
By Kenneth Mwenda, July 25, 2025Naivasha Member of Parliament Jayne Kihara has sparked political shockwaves after publicly admitting that the Kenya Kwanza coalition misled Kenyans during the 2022 general election campaign. In a candid interview on a local radio station on Friday, July 25, 2025, Kihara said the promises made to the youth were exaggerated and not based on a solid plan.
“We overpromised, if not overlied,” Kihara said, reflecting on the Kenya Kwanza campaign trail. “We did not know we were lying because we believed President Ruto had the solutions. But clearly, we were wrong.”
The MP revealed a private conversation she had with President William Ruto during the campaign period, where she questioned him about concrete plans for job creation and youth empowerment. His response, according to Kihara, was dismissive.
“Jayne, hawa watu tutawapanga,” meaning “Jayne, we’ll sort these people out.”
Kihara turns against Ruto
Her remarks come amid growing youth-led protests across the country. The Gen Z-driven demonstrations, which intensified in June 2025, have been fueled by rising taxation, unemployment, and perceived government betrayal. Kihara’s comments mirror the frustration voiced on the streets.
The Naivasha MP’s criticism of President Ruto is not new. In June 2025, she said that the president had failed to deliver on promises of jobs, economic upliftment, and dignity for the youth.
“Those promises have not materialized. That is what has put him on a tightrope,” she said.
Kihara’s shift from a vocal supporter of Ruto to a fierce critic intensified after the 2024 impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. She has since continued to accuse the president of making “empty promises” while Kenyans continue to struggle with food and healthcare.
Her stance has not gone unnoticed by authorities. On July 17, 2025, Kihara was arrested at her Maraigushu home over remarks during the Saba Saba protests. She was released the following day on a Ksh50,000 bond. She dismissed the arrest as intimidation, vowing not to be silenced.
“Summoning me to DCI will not change Kenyans’ resolve,” she said. “This is not about Jayne Kihara. It’s about our country, Kenya.”